Scouring tool



8- 1959 H. von KOHORN ETAL 2899697 scouxmc; TOOL Filed June 6. 1958 ATTO RN EY United States Patent fifice SCOURING TOOL Henry Voll Kohom, Greenwich, Cnn. and Ralph S. Von K0horn, White Plains, N .Y.

Application June 6, 1958, Serial N0. 740,441 6 Claims. (C1. 15-123) The present invention relates in general to devices 0f an abrasive quality for use in cleaning, scouring, polish- -ing and similar applications 0f a dornestic and industrial nature, and it relates m0re particularfly t0 an improved abrasive type cleaning, scouring and polishing t00l capable 0f retaining and dispensing large quantities 0f detergent and cleaning solution and adapted for l0ng and repeated employment.

The conventional cleaning and scouring devices range in character from the relatively soft highly water abs0rbent natural 0r synthetic sponge t0 the highly abrasive steel W001 pads. These devices are particularly suited f0r certain limited uses but when employed f0r 0ther purposes they possess numerous drawbacks and disadva.ntages and at best represent an unsatisfactory compromise. The sponge type device is characterized by being capable 0f retaining and dispensing large quan tities 0f water and detergent s0lution but has a 10W abrasive quality. As a consequence, it is frequently necessary to employ a powdered abrasive 01' grit with the sponge, thus necessitating the subsequent rinsing of the scoured surface and the cleaning 0f the sponge t0 rernove the powdered abrasive from the surface and sponge.

It has been proposed t0 incorporate a powdered abrasive in a synthetic sponge but -T.his is 0f little value since any abrasive that is available at the sponge surface is very shortly dissipated 0r masked. The cornrn0n steel W001 pad, 0n the other band, while possessing suitable abrasive qualities, is of 10W water retention and rapidly deteriorates by reason of its rusting and physical disinte gration. By substituting a rust-proof material, such as bronze or stainless steel f01' the steel W001, the rusting is eliminated but the 0ther disadvantages remain while the c0st is greatly increased. Soap impregnated steel pads are likewise sh0rt-lived and the soap rapidly dis sipated. All have the drawbacks 0f being r0ugh on bands and fiber pads frequently prick the skin and cause festering sor es.

It is thus a principaJl 0bject 0f the present invention to provide an improved t00l f0r use in cleaning, scouring, polishing and sirnilar applications 0f a domestic and industrial nature.

Another object 0f the present invention is t0 provide an improved abrasive type cf scouring and cleaning device.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an improved abrasive type scouring and cleaning device capable 0f l0ng and repeated employrnent.

A further 0bject of the present invention is t0 provide an improved abrasive type scouring and cleansing device capable of holding and dispensing large quantities 0f water and soap 0r detergent solutions.

Still a further 0bject 0f the present invention is t0 provide an improved abrasive type scouring and cleansing device characterized by its simple, inexpensive and rugged construction.

The above and other objects 0f the present invention will become apparent from a reading cf: the following 2,899,697 Patented Aug. 18, 1959 description taken in conjunction with the accornpanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a perspective view 0f the abrasive and core elements 0f a preferred embodiment of the present invention, illustrated prior to shaping and assernbly there0f;

Figure 2 is a front elevational view of the improved scouring device, illustrated partially broken away and partially in section;

Figure 3 is a. secti0nal view taken along line 33 in Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken along line 44 in Figure l;

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken Figure 2;

Figure 6 is a transverse sectional view 0f another forrn of assembled c0re and abrasive element, sh0wn partially broken away for convenience 0f illustration; and

Figure 7 is a sectional view similar to Figure 5 0f still another ernbodirnent 0f the present invention, sh0wn partially broken away for convenience 0f illustration.

In a sense, the present inventi0n contemplates the provision of an improved scouring t001 comprising an envelope having an opening at one end there0f and cl0sed at the 0ther end thereof and formed 0f a flexible Waterimpervious material, a pad formed 0f a non-rusting abrasive fibrous material registering With said envelope opening and having a leading end directed 0ut 0f said opening and trailing end disposed in said envelope forward 0f said closed end t0 define a reservoir in said envelope communicating With said pad and .a filler and detergent material located in said reservoir.

In a preferred forrn, the impr0ved scouring cool includes a plurality 0f substantially contiguous scouring strips forrned 0f bands of interrnatted rustproof bers, each 0f said bands being folded along their longitudinal axis t0 provide an outwardly directed looped edge and inwardly directed legs, said outwardly directed looped edge defining a W0rking sruf2tce, and rneans maintaining said bands in looped conditi0n.

The contiguous lo0ps may be formed by folding the strip along its longitudinal axis in an undulating manner t0 present a plurality 0f abutting parallel loops and the portions 0f the l00ps re1note fr0rn the working face are secured to each other by staples, stitching 0r the like. However, the legs of a singly folded abrasive mat are preferably attac'ned to a flexible base strip, the looped 0r working ends projecting beyond the edge 0f the base strip and the base strip is wound into a flat, circular 0r oval spiral 0r in the alternative a plurality 0f such ber mat-carrying base strips may be superirnposed upon each other. The thickness of the base st1'ip and the dimensions and configuration 0f the l.00ps may be such as to provide spacing -between the successive l00ps, 01 the successive l00ps may be in abutment With each other. Furthennore, the loops rnay be outwardly directed 01 laterally bent. The flexible base strip is preferably of a water absorbent sponge material such as regenerated cellul0se sp0nge 0r a synthetic thennoplastic foam, for exarnple, polyurethane or polyvinyl chloride and the abrasive rnat may be formed 0f stainless steel W001, bronze W001 or other suitable abrasive non-rusting fiber. The metal W001 fibers sh0uld preferably possess a general orientation parallel t0 the tarnsverse axis 0f the abrasive bands so that the individual fibers are folded acr0ss their lengths in the area of the n1at l0op portions.

The assembled abrasive mat loops, including the base strip, where provided, are secured t0 a handle which may be in the form 0f an open-ended envelope, the W0rking face of the abrasive fiber loops being outwardly directed and disposed 0utside the envelope opening. The envel0pe may likewise be formed 013 a sp0nge material and is preferably provided With a water impermeable inner along line 55 in liner to restrict the passage f liquid to the envelope opening and the working face of the abrasive member. The envelope may carry a soap er detergent in liquid Q1 solid state in the form of apower, pellet or bar or a sponge 01 the base strip Within the enevlope rnay be mpregnated With soap or detergent. The present scouring tool, as will be hereinafter set forth, is preferably of certain dimension and possesses certain physical characteristics which greatly improve its usefulness, effectivenass and ease of application.

Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to Figures 1 through 5 ihereof which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the present invention, fthe improved scouring device is generally designated by the numeral and includes an outer envelope 11, an inner envelope 12, a nesting core rnember 13 Which earries an abrasive element 14, as will be hereinafter set forth.

The outer envclope 11 is illustrated as being of substantially oval transverse cross section but may assume any desired sl1ape, for cxarnple, round or rectangular and is preferably provided Wtih sharp edges and corners or rounded corners of srnall radius to permit its Teaching into the corners of pots and pans, etc. The envelope 12 is of a flexible material and is preferably porous and water absorbent, such as natural er synthetic sponge material, for example, regenerated cellulose sponge or a synthetic organic plastic foarn as polyurethane and polyvinyl Chloride. Where the envelope 11 is formed of regenerated cellulose sponge material it may be formed by sewing or otherwise securing a pair of superirnposed rectang-ular panels along three contiguous edges and inverting the resultingenvelope so that the lower edges are inwardly directed. However, when the panel 11 is formed of regeneraced cellulose or of a synthetic organic thermoplastic foam it may be cast or formed as such 01 rnay be formed in the manner described in connection with the regenerated cellulose sponge envelope. The lower corners of the envelope 11 are beveled as at 16 to extend the opening in the envelope frorn the lower edges a short distance along the side edges thereof.

The interior face of the envelope 11 is coated With a water impermeable material or is lined with the inner envelope 12 which extcnds to a line 17 disposed above the lower edge of the envelope 10. The envelope 10 may be formecl of any suitable water impermeable flexible material, such as cellophane, polyethylene, polyvinylchloride or the like.

The core assembly is formed of the core mernber 13 which is initially in the forrn of an elongated or rectangular strip. The core member 13 is flexible and likewise initially in the form of an elongated or rectangular strip. The core member 13 is flexible and preferably formed of a water absorbent porous sponge material, such as regenerated cellulose sponge or a synthetic organic thermoplastic foam. It may also consist of any other snitable flexible er resilient material. The abrasive rnember 14 cornprises a panel or strip of intermatted abrasive fibers of a rust-proof or non-rusting nature, for exarnple, stainless steel W001 and bronze wool. The fibers possess a general orientation extending transversely to the length of the strip 14. The strip 14 is folded along its longitudinal axis to forrn an outwardly directed looped end 19, the outer face of which defines a Working surface and rearwardly directed abutting legs 2il. The abutting legs 20 are superimposed upon the lower border of the core member 13 and secured thereto by means of staples 21 or other Suitable fastening rneans. lt should be noted that inasrnuch as the fibers .forming the abrasive mats 14 are parallel to the transverse axis of the strip 14 they are folded across their length in the area of the looped end 19. It should also be noted that the abrasive rnat 14 may extend beyond the end edges 0f the core member 13.

The assembled core .member 13 and the folded abrasive strip 14 are then wound into a fiat spiral, the lower peripheral surface of which is surrounded by the abrasive strip 14, as scen in Figures 3 and 5 of the drawings. The spirally Wound core is comprcssed and nested Within the envelopes 11 and 12 with the werking face of the abrasive strip 14 projecting beyond the open e11ds 01 the envelopes. As seen in Figure 5 of the drawings, the looped ends 19 of the folded strip 14 are of greater Width than the compressed legs 211 and are spread to provide a continuous-though not necessarily uninterruptedworking face. A line 0f stitches 22 0r other suitable fasteners extend through the envelopes 11 and 12 and the assembled core to efiect a securing of the final assembly and to form an outer o r peripheral groove along the lower border of the envelope 11 which protects the fingers of the user frorn the abrasive head of the scouring clevice and from scraping against the surface to be cleaned. As seen in Figure 2 of the drawings the provision of the beveled edges 16 perrnit a peripheral flaring of the lower portion cf the abrasive rnat 14 and increases the outer flaring of the lower borders 01 the envelope 12.

The core member 13 may be impregnated With soap or any suitable liquid or solid synthetic detergent or the space between the successive convolutions of the strip 14 may be filled witl1 such soap or detergent either in liquid or solid form as a powder, pellet or bar.

In use, the working face 0f the scouring device is immersed in water so that the water travels through the Working face of the scouring device into the core member. There, sorne of the soap or detergent is dissolved and may be controllably dispensed through the working face by the pressure applied to the envelope 11. The surface being scrubbed thus receives the detergent carrying water in controlled amounts and there is no dissipation and loss 0f the detergent through non-applied faces of the scouring device. As the abrasive fibers are worn, fibers in lower levels become accessible and there is no unravelling of the abrasive mat by reason of its being secured to the core member or by reason of the fibers being intermatted and oriented in the manner above set forth. lt is important to note that even if some of the looped or tufted ber bundles get caught on an object and pulled out, the tool will not be materially damaged. Further, the dissolved detergent or soap dispensed through the working face for the most part emerges from the reservoir and travels through the restricted passageways between the confronting faces of acljacent loops.

In accordance with the embodirnent of the present invention illustrated in Figure 6 of the drawing the outer and inner envelopes 11 and 12 may be of a construction similar to that described in connection with the first embodiment. However, the core is formed not by spirally winding a single strip as previously set forth but by superirnposing a plurality of parallel sponge strips 23 to each of which is secured by staples or the like the folded abrasive wool mats 24 which are sirnilar in structure to the abrasive mats 14. The assembled strips 23 and mats 24 are then cornpressed and nested in the envelopes 11 and 12 With their looped working faces extending beyond the open and of the envelopes. The assembled envelopes and core are then suitably fastened. Here again liquid or solid soap or detergent may inlpregnate the strips 23 or rnay be disposed in the spaces between the strips.

In Figure 7 of the drawing there is illustrated still another embodirnent of the present invention in which a wide strip of interrnatted non-rusting abrasive fibers generally oriented in the direction of the width of the strip 26 is folded in an undulating or sinuous manner to provide a plurality of abutting forwardly directed loops 27 Which define a working surface and rearwardly directed loops 28. Here again are provided envelopes 11 and 12 similar in structure to those previously de- .scribed. Nestecl Within the envelopes 11 and 12 is a core member 29 which is preferably of a water absorbent permeable sponge material which may be impregnated with liquid soap r detergent or which may be provided With one or more pockets carrying such soap 01 detergent. The sinuous strip 26 is inserted through the open ends of the envelopes 11 and 12, their inner portion thereof being in abutment with the core 29 and the working faces 27 being disposed externally t0 the envelopes 11 and 12. The line of stitches 30 or other fasteners Pass through the envelopes 11 and 12 and the inner border of tbe sinuous strip 26 to efiect the final assembly of the scouring device.

It sl1ould be noted that the envelope 12 may be defined by a waterirnpervious coating on the inner face of the envelope 11 and in any event tl1e composite envelopes 11 and 12 are impervious to tbe passing of fluid through their Walls so that the soap carrying fluid can only pass through the working face of the abrasive strip 14. The manner of employing the embodiment last described is sirnilar to those previously described and the various modifications disclosed in connection with the earlier embodirnents may be equally applied to the present embodiment.

It is also possible to exemplify the construction of tl1e scouring tool by cornbining the water-irnpermeable, detergeni: containing envelope with the flexible outer housing. Such materials as ruober or flexible water-imperrneable plastic fih'ns may be used to contain detergent and may also contain a filler material. The fiber mat forming the scouring head may be fastened directly to the combined envelope housing, in which event no base strip is required. It may be cast er moldecl as a unitary envelope or may be formed of a pair of superimposed rectangular panels secured along three 01 their contiguous edges by stitching, adhesive or the like.

The dimensions and physical properties of the present improved scouring tool are of great importance since the efiectiveness of the tool is highly dependent thereon. Appreciable deviation from these dimensions greatly detracts from -the tools usefulness. The overall height of the tool should be between 4 and 10 centirneters, preferably 6 centimeters, its width between 4 and 9 centimeters, preferably 7% centimeters, and its depth between 2 and 6 centimeters, preferably 4 centimeters. The reservoir dimensions should be in height between 3 and 8 centimeters, preferably centimeters, in Width between 3 and 8 centimeters, preferably 6 /2 centimeters, and in depth between 2 and 5 centimeters, preferably 3 centimeters.

The materials forming the tool should possess a flexibility such that a tool having the preferred dimensions and in a thoroughly moistened state would require a force of between 1 and 4 pounds applied to the end thereof to flex the tool 90 when the other end is firmly clamped. The necessary flexing force should preferably be of the order of about 2 pounds. The resistance to this flexing may be possessed approximately 40% by tl1e envelope and by the remainder of the tool.

We claim:

1. An improved scouring tool comprising a plurality of substantially parallel base strips having front edges and a plurality of scouring strips formed of bands of intermatted rust-proof bers, each of said bands being folded along their longitudinal axis to provide an outwardly directed looped portion and inwardly directed legs, said legs being secured to said base strips whereby said scouring strips are substantially parallel to each other and said outwardly directed looped portions are disposed forwardly of said base strip front ends and define a working surface, and means maintaining said base strips and said scouring strips in assembled condition.

2. An improved scouring tool in accordance with claim l, Wherein said outwardly directed scouring strip looped portions are substantially contiguous.

3. An improved scouring tool in accordance With claim l, wherein the bers forming said band are substantially parallel to the transverse axis thereof whereby said bers are folded across their lengtl1 in the looped portions of said scouring strips.

4. An improved scouring tool in accordance With claim l, wherein said base strips are integrally formed in endto-end relationsbip and are spirally wound.

5. An improved scouring tool in accordance with claim 4, wherein said scouring strips are integrally formed in end-to-end relationship, the legs thereof being sandwiched between the confr0nting faces of successive convolutions cf said base strips.

6. An improved scouring tool in accordance With claim 1, wherein said base strips are forrned of a water absorbent porous sponge material.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1932752 Robbins Oct. 31, 1933 FOREIGN PATENTS 710,055 France May 26, 1931 

